crick
word
/ˈkɹɪk/
/kɹˈɪk/
Definition
A 'crick' is a sudden pain, stiffness, or spasm in the neck or back that makes it difficult or uncomfortable to move.
Usage & Nuances
'Crick' is informal and mostly used in 'crick in the neck' or 'crick in the back'. Less common outside these phrases. It refers to minor injuries, not serious damage. Often confused with 'kink', which also means stiffness but can be used for objects too.
Spanish: torcedura (cuello, espalda) - tirónPortuguese (BR): torcicolo - fisgada (pescoço, costas)Portuguese (PT): torcicolo - fisgada (pescoço, costas)Chinese (Simplified): 落枕 - 抽筋（脖子，背部）Chinese (Traditional): 落枕 - 抽筋（脖子，背部）Hindi: झटका (गर्दन, पीठ)Arabic: تشنج (العنق أو الظهر) - تيبسBengali: ব্যথা (গলা/পিঠে) - টান কেনোRussian: застой - спазм (в шее/спине)Japanese: 寝違え - 首や背中のこりVietnamese: vẹo - đau mỏi (cổ/lưng)Korean: 담 - 경련 (목/등에)Turkish: throw - tutulma (boyun/sırtta)Urdu: کھچاؤ (گردن/کمر میں)Indonesian: kaku (leher/punggung) - kejang (leher/punggung)
Example Sentences
I turned too fast and now there’s a crick that’s driving me nuts.
natural
I woke up with a crick in my neck.
basic
He got a crick in his back from lifting boxes.
basic
Try stretching if you feel a crick.
basic
Sorry I keep turning my head—there’s a crick that won’t go away.
natural
Don’t worry, that crick should loosen up in a day or two.
natural